Sorel Tofino II Review

A long-time favorite of our testers, the Tofino II is stylish and weatherproof with admirable comfort. We recommend it for women looking for an all-around faux-fur winter boot that will protect against tall snowdrifts and slushy puddles.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

While this boot has a few great warmth features, it's not very warm when compared to the other boots we tested. It will keep feet relatively comfortable in sub-zero temperatures, but it does not do well in double negative digits. This boot is a single-piece construct offering 100 grams of insulation and a fleece-lined liner. In contrast, most of the other boots in our review have 200 or 400 grams of insulation. As a result, we don't recommend this boot for super cold weather. It's comfortable to around 30 degrees but pair it with beefy wool socks if it gets much colder than that.

During our warmth testing, we noticed heat loss readily through the thinner shaft of the boot. Since the sole of the Tofino is relatively thin in comparison to other super warm contenders, it doesn't insulate from the ground as well. As a result, we don't recommend it for standing around on snowy surfaces for long periods of time. We do appreciate the fuzzy liners that help to keep the calves cozy, though.

Weather Protection

The Tofino II has a waterproof coated canvas upper and is 11-inches tall. Our feet stayed were bone dry when performing our slush bucket tests to determine both warmth and water resistance, even after marching in 7 inches of the stuff for well over five minutes.

However, when we performed further tests in a frigid lake, we learned that this boot's maximum puddle depth is only about 8.5 inches, despite the 11-inch height of the whole boot. Roughly to the point where the tongue meets the main body of the boot. In snow tests, the faux-fur collar does a great job keeping snow out of the boot up to the full 11 inches.

Comfort & Fit

This boot has many comfort features that we love. To start, we like the support of the footbed and the soft lining throughout the inside shaft. We also love the fur collar that provides additional coziness. The fit is far more precise than other Pac boots tested. However, the toe box isn't as roomy and fits a narrow foot best, with a snug heel. The shaft of the boot is less voluminous than other boots and also a little stiffer, offering better support overall. The fit is precise and doesn't feel bulky, making it a great option for all-day winter wear.

Ease of Use

We enjoyed how easy this boot is to take on and off. The stiffer shaft and slippery plush lining make sliding your foot in and out simple. The laces are extra long, so that you can loosen them enough to kick off the boots and pull them on with one action. When you're ready to pull the boot back on, the leather pull tabs at the top are easy to grip and tug.

Traction

This boot is not ideal for conquering steep snowy slopes or icy sidewalks. Instead of a lug-based outsole, the Tofino II has a herringbone/zig-zag tread with a rubber outsole. While these boots do great on soft and hard-packed snow, you're bound to slip and slide when it gets icy outside. Overall, decent traction on snow but not ideal for slippery surfaces.

Value

For its level of versatility, the Tofino offers a fairly good deal, but it's expensive for an only-marginally warm boot. Additionally, you need to like faux fur to appreciate it. But if you are ready to rock the fur and you don't have to endure super cold winters (or you're willing to sacrifice a bit of warmth for increased comfort), then this is a great choice.

Conclusion

This super stylish boot provides stand-out protection and comfort from the elements. Although it falls short in warmth, it makes up for its shortcomings by earning high marks in style and water and snow resistance. This winter, shed snow and give your wardrobe a boost with the 11-inch faux-fur collared Tofino II.